Hey there, and welcome!
You can call me Inky. I'm a thirty-something-year-old lifelong nerd with a love for reading, writing, gaming, and getting hopelessly invested in fictional characters. I'm looking for a committed writing partner who shares my enthusiasm for stories that are warm, heartfelt, and just a little bit cheesy.
I want characters with histories, hopes, and fears, whose lives extend beyond their budding romance. I want ordinary people finding extraordinary happiness, and love stories that make you smile at your screen, occasionally clutch your chest, and mutter something along the lines of ...
Oh, you absolute idiots. Just kiss already.
Most importantly, I want a writing partner who's excited to bring these little worlds to life.
If that sounds like your cup of peppermint hot chocolate, then please, read on!
I. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ME
Before we get carried away planning our fictional wonderland, here's a little about my writing style and what I hope to find in a partner.
I write exclusively in the third-person, past tense, and I'd describe my style as advanced literate. My replies can range from a few substantial paragraphs to well beyond Discord's character limit, depending on the scene. I'm not particularly concerned with matching an exact word count. I'd much rather write an engaging response that gives us something to work with than pad a reply for the sake of length.
You don't have to write exactly like I do. Different styles can complement each other beautifully, and I'm far more interested in finding someone whose enthusiasm matches mine than someone who writes exactly like I do.
Communication is important to me, too. If you're busy, need a break, want to change direction, or have an idea you'd like to explore, please tell me. Real life comes first, and I'd much rather have an honest conversation than feel as though either of us has to maintain an unrealistic schedule.
Ultimately, I'm hoping to find a long-term writing partnership that we're eager to return to because we're genuinely excited to see what happens next.
II. THE STORIES I WANT TO TELL
This is where things get exciting!
My biggest craving is for Christmas-themed slice-of-life romance, with the holiday woven into the characters' lives rather than simply serving as a pretty backdrop.
I want the first snowfall, twinkling lights along Main Street, bustling Christmas markets, last-minute shopping, and the traditions that make the season feel special. I want a fictional town that feels lived-in, with familiar faces, community events, and perhaps a few overly enthusiastic residents who take holiday decorating far too seriously.
Most importantly, I want our characters to have reasons to keep crossing paths. Shared responsibilities, mutual friends, overlapping routines, or a family connection that makes avoiding each other practically impossible.
I'm particularly fond of slow burns, second chances, unexpected connections, a little angst, and the wonderful clichés that make romantic comedies so much fun. I want our characters to have lives, relationships, and personal struggles beyond their romance, with plenty of opportunities for personal growth and the occasional emotional gut punch.
I'm open to all sorts of pairings and dynamics, and I'm more than happy to brainstorm something completely different if inspiration strikes.
III. PLOT BUNNIES
The following ideas are starting points rather than rigid plots. We can change the characters, combine tropes, switch up the dynamics, or use them as inspiration for something entirely our own.
1. A Stranger Under the Christmas Lights
A chance encounter brings two strangers together in a picturesque little town during the Christmas season. Perhaps one is a newcomer finding their feet in an unfamiliar place, while the other is a longtime local who knows all the best spots in town. Between visits to the local coffee shop, holiday errands, and helping organize the annual Christmas festival, the two gradually become part of each other's seasonal routines.
2. Home for the Holidays
Once inseparable, two childhood friends drifted apart as life took them in different directions. Years later, they find themselves back in their hometown for Christmas, surrounded by familiar faces, cherished traditions, and memories of days gone by. Perhaps one has returned to help with the family business while the other is considering a fresh start somewhere new. As they revisit old haunts and rediscover forgotten traditions, they begin to wonder how much has changed and what might still be waiting for them.
3. A Familiar Face
Having grown up around the same family gatherings and holiday traditions, two people have known each other for years through a mutual friend. Their paths rarely crossed beyond the occasional celebration, but this Christmas brings new opportunities to spend time together. Between shared errands, family preparations, and helping with a local event, they discover sides of each other they never noticed before.
4. A Little Christmas Cheer
A busy single parent is doing their best to balance work, family life, and making the holidays memorable for their child. When a new caregiver or family friend enters the picture, everyday routines begin to look a little different. From school activities and festive baking to decorating the house and preparing for Christmas morning, the newcomer gradually becomes a welcome presence in their lives.
5. A Letter Before Christmas
A misplaced Christmas card, a letter delivered to the wrong address, or a local holiday pen-pal tradition connects two people who might never otherwise have met. Their correspondence begins with simple seasonal greetings and gradually develops into conversations about everyday life, favorite traditions, and hopes for the coming year. Meanwhile, their paths cross in the real world without either realizing who is on the other end of the letters.
Of course, these are only a handful of possibilities!
I'm equally happy to explore other familiar tropes, put a fresh spin on an old favorite, or start from scratch with nothing more than two characters and an intriguing premise.
IV. THE POSSIBILITIES DON'T END THERE
Although Christmas romance is my primary craving, I'm not opposed to exploring other seasons, settings, or genres if the right idea comes along. A cozy autumn romance, a summer spent in a seaside town, a small-town love story built around a local festival, or a tale about two people rebuilding their lives after an unexpected change could all be wonderful.
The Hallmark aesthetic is an invitation, not a rulebook.
I'm not looking for someone who simply agrees with everything I suggest. I want a partner who brings their own imagination, enthusiasm, and perspective to the table; someone who gets excited about their character, has ideas to contribute, and wants to see the story grow into something neither of us could have created alone.
V. A FEW FINAL THINGS
If you've made it this far, thank you for reading my rather extensive love letter to Christmas romance and writing in general!
I hope this gives you a sense of the stories I'd love to tell and the kind of writing partner I'm hoping to find. I'm looking for something cozy, heartfelt, and collaborative, with room for laughter, meaningful character development, and the occasional wonderfully romantic cliché.
If you're interested, feel free to send me a message. Tell me a little about yourself, what you enjoy writing, which of these ideas catches your attention, or what kind of story you've been wanting to explore.
Bonus points if you've already got a character, a favorite trope, or a gloriously cheesy Christmas premise just waiting for an excuse to escape into the world.
I'm ready to break out the hot chocolate, turn on the Christmas lights, and start brainstorming.
After all, the best stories often begin with a simple question:
What if?